We are known as the Generation Z “The Digital natives”, but are we digitally ready? We have a
bit of knowledge about these rectangular gadgets in our hands for updating our status, for entertainment,
for communication, and such. But are we ready to use this to pursue our dreams? To continue and face
challenges education will give us, with it?
Our freshmen year was off to a grim starting point with fully online classes, and a very small capability
of socializing like college students should be. Given the situation that we have to minimize face-to-face
interaction but through the transition of our time, somehow the word socializing literally defines itself
because we now communicate or socialize through the means of social media. Right? We used to chill and
make our little chitchats, in our homerooms, sometimes at the library while we make our “due today, do
today activities” but now we are chatting with our friends, ranting to them how hard the quiz is, through
chatting. We could have ever imagined that our classrooms will be virtual, now we don’t chase 12:51, but
rather chase the 11:59 due dates. Now you must be thinking about what I really wanted to say. It is that our
online classes can be as good as our school classrooms. Let’s now talk about why.
In the past years the term online courses and online learning is already widely used. It means the
learning process will be in an electronic form or specifically via the internet. This transition has been very
popular because of the fast development in the internet world. And our country on the other hand is also
getting on the list of the countries who have the fastest growing internet audience in Southeast Asia. Our
numbers of usage jumped almost 42% with online learners and pushing through online education. Which
means the transition of online learning based on computer technologies can be possible, and through
practice can make it successful.
We used to enjoy using these gadgets for entertainment purposes through entertainment shows, and
the latest update for the celebrities we followed. But now, when we open our phone, at the very top
notification update, we will see a “Mrs. Cruz posted a new assignment”. Real quick, right? From “Joshua
and 137 others liked your post” to “You have 3 pending activities” What an exciting morning greeting to
start our day. But on the brighter side I won’t forget that I have pending activities because it popped in my
mind the moment I woke up. And I probably will assess that first before I forget because of scrolling on
Tiktok for 4 hours without noticing it. This experience really helps in terms of self-discipline. While I do those
activities, I remember doing the same thing at the classroom at fourth-floor room 305. I used to work alone
so I’m not very patient with noise, and most of us can really think critically when we're comfortable, and
when it’s quiet. But because of the online exposure, I’ve been very comfortable at home and maybe
because I have full-time access to managing my time. Aside that I have been in my procrastination days, 2
modules in a hoard of one night, I’ve learned that to be a successful distant learner you have to practice
self-disciplined, and able to work well on your own. Since we don’t need to physically go to class every day.
Now we can take part in our online classes comfortably at home.
I I wanted to share a story about these Google classroom updates and how it taught me to keep going
in a scenario in my life I almost gave up. It was 3:36 AM, and I had a cup of coffee with me and a few
tissues because of the tears in my eye that didn't stop rolling. That day was my first defense in research
and it wasn’t a success. The research I worked on almost alone because of my members’ never-ending
reason I chose to understand, I worked hard a lot for that chapter, read numerous articles, and finalized so
my fellow group members will be able to comprehend it. I send it to them, maybe a month apart from the
day of our defense. To make the story short, at the time of our defense, their microphone remains muted,
even the slide that is flashing on the screen is their part. After minutes pass that I defend alone, I break
down while I listen for the parts I need to change. Going back to the time being a while ago at 3:36 AM,
when I almost gave it all up because I don’t know what to do anymore but to cry it all up. My breakdown
was interrupted by a notification that popped up about a private comment. It is from a teacher in my
Entrepreneurship class, it says “ Do not lose your fire, your enthusiasm Charlotte. Malayong, malayo pa
mararating mo. Wag mo kong kalimutan kapag super successful ka na. You’re destined to do great things”
And I want to say the same statement that made me who I am as a person standing in front of you. We're
bound to do great things, we just have to keep going.
Also, my story will present as my evidence that having online classes can connect us to our teachers
more effectively. Why? Because when we ask them questions through chatting, it will be more
comprehensive because they will face one student at a time, and not thirty students in a hoard.
I will not lie and we can all say that this challenge is something that has been introduced to us when we
are not armored and not ready for the chaos. We need gadgets, a stable internet, a silent pace, name it.
But come on look at us now, all smiles in our graduation photos. The smiles of triumph. We just have to
apply in ourselves that good things are bound with their disadvantages. And possessing triumph is not
something we can have easy, traditional learning or the new normal. It all challenges, we just have to
choose to fight and have courage. We are together to fight in this chaos, with the virtual hugs and support
of our fellow teachers. Despite all of the effects of COVID 19, they are rather stories of renewal, despair
and determination not to give up, we can rest but surrendering for our dreams will never be the answer. As
we heal slowly, better and stronger than ever, now we can all just reminisce and laugh for the times we
doubt ourselves if we can make it. If I learned something from this war we’ve been in is that we should
always choose to fight, rather than accepting defeat and just let it be. We should trust in ourselves, even in
the most impossible hurdles we thought we couldn't overcome.
Thank you very much for listening.
.